Republicans choose Dempsey as Missouri Senate president

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Senate will be led by new people when it convenes for the 2013 session.

Majority party Republicans on Thursday nominated Sen. Tom Dempsey, of St. Charles, to serve as president pro tem — the top position in the chamber. Dempsey still must be elected by the full Senate when it convenes in January, but that is expected to be a mere formality.

Republicans picked Sen. Ron Richard, of Joplin, to succeed Dempsey as the Senate majority leader. Richard, a former House speaker, defeated Sen. Mike Parson, of Bolivar, during a closed-door meeting of the Republican caucus.